It seems like everyone has a story about Scottie Scheffler right now.
The world number one is becoming an increasingly dominant force in golf right now. His win at The Players showed his brilliance and heading into The Masters in a few weeks.
Scheffler’s performances from tee to green have been widely lauded as being Tiger Woods-esque. And in recent weeks, he seems to have found form with the putter as well.
Of course, Scheffler is also a well-liked member of the PGA Tour right now. His fellow players speak highly of him, and that’s exactly what Tony Finau has been doing.
And in doing so, in an interview shared by Golf Digest, Finau shared a brilliant story on the first time he played with Scheffler.
Tony Finau reveals what happened when he first played with Scottie Scheffler
Speaking about the first time he ever played with Scheffler, Finau revealed that it was pretty clear from that day how good he was going to be.
“Just a quick Scottie Scheffler story. The first time I ever played with Scottie, I didn’t know who he was as he was a rookie on the PGA Tour and I played with him at TPC Boston, I think this was 17 or 18 his rookie year. We’re playing together and after nine holes he shoots like seven under or something but I’m not really paying attention, focussing on my own game. But then we get to number 17, and he makes another birdie and I look my caddie like ‘this guy’s got to be eight or nine under?’ and my caddie is like ‘how about eleven’.
“So anyway, he birdies the last hole to then shoot 59. This was the first time I was playing with him, first time I’ve heard of him. That gave you an idea. Coming from the Korn Ferry Tour I knew he was a good player. Anyway, that was the first time I played with Scottie, he shot a 59 and I knew he was special from that moment on. Being teammates with him on some of these Ryder Cup and President Cup teams, got to know him, played together a handful of times. When he won the Masters I played with him the first two rounds and he was evidencing me that he was going to be hoisting the green jacket. I’ve played enough rounds with him to know what kind of player he is but I don’t think it beats what type of person he is. I think he’s great for our game and it’s cool to see the success he’s having,” Finau said.
Scheffler to take some stopping at The Masters
A number of players will fancy their chances at Augusta in a few weeks but you have to say, if someone beats Scottie Scheffler, they have a massive chance.
Rory McIlroy will be desperate to win, as will someone like Xander Schauffele, who keeps getting into contention before dropping away.
Of course, Tony Finau himself is a player who, on his day, can produce the goods. The 34-year-old has six PGA Tour wins to his name, although he’s yet to get over the line in a major. His best performance coming at The Open in 2019, where he finished third.
Finau, then, will be hoping Scheffler doesn’t repeat that 59 he mentions here. Otherwise, it could be pretty much curtains for him and the rest of the field.
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